Avitan/Xanex

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

Over the past few days, there have been a few posts about anxiety and panic attacks. I think I have minor anxiety attacks, but I'm not sure. Its not something that runs in my family and I don't know anyone who has these issues. Basically, I'll start worrying about something and I lose it. My heart starts racing, I get sick to my stomach, I can't think about anything else. I eventually build it up in my mind to where its the biggest issue in my life and my life is going to be ruined by this. Its totally irrational and I know that. I just can't stop the spiral that my mind takes. In researching, it looks like Xanex is more of a long term solution and Avitan is more of a take it when you need it type thing. It seems that Xanex has pretty bad withdrawl symptoms and maybe not so bad with Avitan since its a 'band-aid' type medicine. Can anyone help shed light on this for me? I want to go to the doctor with as much information as I can. Plus, I read that its highly addictive and since I'm a college student, I'm worried they would be leary about giving it to me. Is it just for serious panic attacks/anxiety, or just mild, which is what I think I have?

mwhitson14 · July 2009

I'm sorry you're dealing with this hon, and I don't really have any advice about the drugs

[Deleted User] · July 2009

if you're gonna take it, best learn how to spell it first, at least. what you describe doesn't sound like anxiety attacks. what is "leary" btw?

salt78 · July 2009

I would not suggest taking Xanax as a long term solution drug. I take Lexapro for my everyday anxiety med and Xanax is just my bandaid drug in case I have a major, unexpected freakout.You need to make a doctor's appointment and talk to them about this.

Mofongo · July 2009

Ativan and Xanax are both short acting drugs to be used during a panic attack, they're benzos. You should see a doctor. They are good for an attack, but you may want something to take everyday for anxiety/depression, there are tons of options. GL

ddumire · July 2009

Ativan and Xanax are both benzodiazepines and have similar half lives. These are not good maintenance drugs, but some people do take them everyday. They have major problems if you stop taking them abruptly. It can be very dangerous. They are also sedating, and it may be difficult to function after taking them. An SSRI like paxil, lexapro, etc will be better for long term use.That said, why are you asking for medication advice on a wedding forum? I think you need to speak to your physician directly and describe the symptoms you are having. I also suggest discussing this with a counselor at your school, psychologist, or psychiatrist. All medications have side effects and maybe there is a better solution for you.

bel138 · July 2009

If student health isn't that great, I would suggest going to a different doctor. Why would you want to go to one you don't trust?Also, if you're going to do research on your health about prescriptions, I suggest using a legitimate source. You know, not a wedding forum.

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

Thanks Salt, I'll look into that. I would love to go a natural route instead. Does the medicine seem to make you groggy? I know it varies from person to person, but what I've found is that it makes a lot of people groggy or out of it. I figure maybe this is based on the dosage?

salt78 · July 2009

Yeah it has definitely worked for my anxiety, but trying to get off it been a mess. I have been slowly cutting my dosages in half to try to wean myself off it slowly and sometimes I will skip a day, but then that screws me all up.

salt78 · July 2009

The St. John's Wort doesn't make me groggy, no. Other prescription meds will though. I have to take mine at night before I go to bed so I sleep through the worst of it.

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

That's what I'm really worried about. I know the wedding/money stress is making things worse and I'll be better after the wedding...but then when I try to get off it, its going to mess with me. Not to mention, I think my BC is already messing with me a little bit, but that should change soon when I get the IUD. I'm so glad you suggested the St. John's Wort. I don't imagine there would be any withdrawl symptoms from that.

ddumire · July 2009

OP - I wasn't asking you that to be rude. I'm just concerned that you may receive information that is either inaccurate or doesn't apply to you. There are some legitimate sources on the internet that you can search for more information.WebMD and Medscape.com are two sites, the former is geared towards lay persons, the latter more towards health professionals. Your physician and pharmacist are also great sources of information if you have specific questions about side effects. If you are concerned about certain things you can also discuss this with your doctor when he or she decides a certain treatment is appropriate.

bel138 · July 2009

See, you already got misinformation.St. John's Wort is for major depressive disorder. If you're having panic attacks without depression, it won't be helpful.It also has a contraindication with hormonal birth control. So...yeah.

veronabrit · July 2009

i took ativan for 3 days before our wedding to calm down a bit but i personally didnt think it was strong enough.

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

I understand that I have to take any information I get with a grain of salt. I appreciate your concern, but my intention was never to have someone diagnose me, tell me what I needed to get on and run and tell my doctor that that's what I needed. I just know these women are very intelligent and that many of them happen to also suffer from anxiety. I was merely looking for personal experiences in which I could ask questions. I can't exactly do that with WebMD. I am however, doing more research than just asking on here.

bel138 · July 2009

Oh, and it also interacts with Xanax. And most antidepressants.

salt78 · July 2009

Jeez Bel chill out. People are suggesting things for her to read up on. I didn't tell her to go out and buy it.

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

The interaction wouldn't exactly be a problem if I were taking it in place of antidepressents or Xanex. But I understand what you were saying. As I've said a few times now, I was just looking for personal experiences with these medications. It could have been worse, as we've seen on here before...OMG, I'm taking this BC but I missed it by 3 hours and I don't know what day I'm on...am I pregnant??!!!11!!!

airidh80 · July 2009

Please be careful with the St. John's Wort. Just because it's "natural" doesn't mean it's not also dangerous. Remember, most medicines in use today have "natural" roots. St. John's Wort can interfere with birth control pills; also, it's not a good idea to mix it with anti-depressants or anti-anxiety meds. A good friend's mother passed away very suddenly a few years ago, and an autopsy and investigation revealed she'd been mixing her prescription meds with herbal remedies.If you decide to use a homeopathic remedy, just be sure to discuss it with your doctor first, and NEVER leave herbal remedies off the list of meds you're taking.

bel138 · July 2009

Well, she asked for information. And she's getting it. Seriously, wiki has better info than just asking a board of random strangers for advice. I just don't understand why people use anecdotal evidence when it comes to their health.

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

Really though, would you just suggest I go into a doctor cold and not know anything about what he's telling me? My experience with doctors is that they speak a lot of mumbo jumbo and expect you to keep up. I leave with my head spinning. I've learned to do research and go in with a little knowledge, that way, I actually know what type of things I need to ask him about.

Mofongo · July 2009

Bel - may i suggest some St John's Wort for you? Relax!! We are just talking about our experiences. There are warnings for most meds about interactions.

mwhitson14 · July 2009

A lot of the time, it's really helpful to go into the doctor and say, Here's what's up, will this, this, or this work so he doesn't have to spend 20 minutes telling you every single drug out there for anxiety. Same thing with birth control, how many million posts have we seen asking for recs on BC? Obviously it's different for everyone, but just some knowledge from current users help.

airidh80 · July 2009

Looks like Bel beat me to the pertinent facts :)I have very limited personal experience with Ativan, and none at all with Xanax. I did find Ativan to be helpful, but I'd prefer to stay away benzos.Good luck! I hope you find something that helps you.

salt78 · July 2009

I guess people are just glossing over the part where the OP said she is looking for any and all suggestions so when knows what kinds of things to suggest to a doctor when she talks to him.

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

Using Wiki is what you would suggest? Yeah, that'll work out well.

salt78 · July 2009

*so she knowsTyping fail.

bel138 · July 2009

Welll, lookey there, another person who said the same thing as me. I appreciate that she wants to go in "informed," which is more than I can say about a lot of patients I see. But, once again, anecdotal evidence is really not the intelligent way to go about it. You'll get better info doing a google search. Legitimate info.

bel138 · July 2009

No, salt, that's my point. She's asking people on here, and they will only be able to tell her how they worked for them. If she wants general info about their indications, side effects, and interactions, this info is much better found elsewhere.

louisvillebride21 · July 2009

Yeah, and google turns up Wikipedia..which can be altered by just about anyone. So I get incorrect info there. Or I go on other forums and get more 'evidence' there. Yet they are idiots who don't know enough to read about the possible side effects and are like 'omg, this made me so sleepy, stay away from it, its bad'. At least I know the ladies here are intelligent and are willing to give information. Had I not done other research, how would I know the information that I put in my OP? Yeah, I'm doing other research. Personally, I don't think you can have enough information.

Mofongo · July 2009

She is looking for peoples experiences! She will trust a real doctor to do the prescribing and be aware of potential interactions, etc.

Avitan/Xanex

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